Alfie, a rare fishing cat rescued from starvation in Bangladesh.

A rare fishing cat named Alfie, found in critical condition in Bangladesh with a damaged jaw and at risk of starvation, has been released back into the wild after months of care and rehabilitation. The feline, rescued in February 2026 by the Bangladesh Forest Department, weighed just five kilograms and was fed via a feeding tube. After a recovery that brought his weight to over twelve kilograms, Alfie spent over eight weeks in an acclimatization enclosure before regaining his freedom.

A satellite tracking device was attached to the fishing cat's collar, which will allow researchers to monitor his movements and assess the success of his reintroduction. The director of the Creative Conservation Alliance, Caesar Rahman, had initially stated he had "very little hope" for the animal's survival. The jaw injury, which may have been caused by human blows, prevented him from feeding on his own.

The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a wild feline distinct from domestic cats, native to the wetlands of South and Southeast Asia. Classified as "Vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, the species has evolved to live in environments such as swamps and mangroves and is a skilled swimmer and fisher, an unusual trait among felines.

Alfie's story begins when he was found in critical condition in northern Bangladesh, likely a victim of human-wildlife conflict. His rescue and subsequent rehabilitation represent a case study for the conservation of this threatened species. The "soft release" process adopted, involving an acclimatization period in a pre-release enclosure within the tea plantation area, aims to reduce the risks of future conflicts with human activities and increase survival chances in a fragmented habitat.

The ongoing satellite monitoring not only tracks Alfie but also collects valuable data on how this vulnerable species adapts to and utilizes the territory. This information is crucial for developing future conservation and coexistence strategies.